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Subscribe to RSSRyan Lucas of AP reports from Zwitina, Libya: Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night Monday, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week.
But the rebellion's more organized military units were still not ready, and the opposition disarray underscored U.S. warnings that a long stalemate could emerge.
Anja Niedringhaus / AP
Libyan rebels retreat as mortars from Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fired on them on the frontline of the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya on March 22.
Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters
Ismail, 18, a high school student who has joined the Libyan rebellion, poses for a portrait in a burned out building of a military base in the rebel headquarters of Benghazi on March 14.
Among the rebels, as well, there was a realization that fighting could be drawn out. Mohammed Abdul-Mullah, a 38-year-old civil engineer from Benghazi who was fighting with the rebel force, said government troops stopped all resistance after the international campaign began.
"The balance has changed a lot," he said. "But pro-Gadhafi forces are still strong. They are a professional military and they have good equipment. Ninety percent of us rebels are civilians, while Gadhafi's people are professional fighters."
Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters
A rebel fighter carries his weapon outside the northeastern Libyan town of Ajdabiyah on March 21.
Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters
Mohammed, 18, a high school student who has joined the Libyan rebellion, poses for a portrait in a burned out building of a military base in the rebel headquarters of Benghazi on March 14. Countless young Libyan males have quit school or work to join the ranks of rebels fighting Moammar Gadhafi's 42-year rule.
Disorganization among the rebels could also hamper their attempts to exploit the turn of events. Since the uprising began, the opposition has been made up of disparate groups even as it took control of the entire east of the country.
Regular citizens — residents of the "liberated" areas — took up arms and formed a ragtag, highly enthusiastic but highly undisciplined force that in the past weeks has charged ahead to fight Gadhafi forces, only to be beaten back by superior firepower. Regular army units that joined the rebellion have proven stronger, more organized fighters, but only a few units have joined the battles while many have stayed behind as officers struggle to get together often antiquated, limited equipment and form a coordinated force.
Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters
Rebel fighters rest outside the northeastern Libyan town of Ajdabiyah on March 21. A wave of air strikes on Monday hit Gadhafi's troops around Ajdabiyah, a strategic town in the barren, scrub of eastern Libya that rebels aim to retake and where their fighters said they need more help to take the battle to the enemy.
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I keep seeing these images of men shooting ammunition into the air and wonder if they have any idea how undisiplined and sloppy they appear. Not to mention the fact they're using limited resources for thrills or a photo op. These are the men who may one day hope to overthrow Ghadaffi? Who really will be able to lead a new Libya? I would like nothing more than Ghadaffi to be gone, but it may be a case of be careful what you wish for--you may get it. Stay tuned for next weeks exciting conclusion....
Sometimes it is better to kill the present Devil and see what happens.
No MOS.. there's an old saying (for survival) "better the evil we know than the evil we don't know..."
And, what's behind that is... deal intelligently with what needs to be changed... especially when the undisciplined rioters and looters emulate precisely the very thing they themselves are yelling about. Sending our military in is NOT dealing with the situation intelligently nor effectively.
Have ANY of the rioters attempted, and published a credible plan (as our own American forefathers did btw... see Declaration of Independence) BEFORE revolting!?
Did they attempt peaceful changes via existing procedure, and then if that did not work, PUBLISH for the world to know precisely what they want to see changed, and why, and how it will be better for the citizens and their country?
That’s what George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison did.
Anything else is mindless anarchy by the rioters, who are thrill-motivated, inexperienced youngsters ... and their puppeteers (o yes, puppet-masters use them because it is their ignorance and youth which will play right into their own power-mongering hands which are no better than Qaddaffi himself).
Bottom line NO MORE AMERICANS! Not Military, not Civilians, not Businessmen. We must choose to use our brains and be willing to keep out of Libya until they resolve their own INTERNAL situation themselves.
The best way for the West to handle both the rioters and looters AND Qaddafi... is simply BOYCOTT them. Totally... from Oil to Tourism and everything in between.
We can afford it, folks. They can't. We have alternate sources for everything. It's time we have some faith in the "Silent Majority" of Muslim citizens throughout all the Mediterranean countries... and stop being Uncle Crutch!!!
Would certainly get rid of those bright red shoes.
Not if those were the only shoes you have.
Then I would walk thru some mud puddles and camel dung.
The Western media has played up the story that the "revolutions" in the Arab world are being led by university students and other educated professionals pressing for democratic reform. The reality is that the rebels are largely hoodlums and the unemployed out for excitement and a thrill - until the bullets start flying.
No doubt that the reason why the soldiers who have joined the "rebels" are holding bck is that they have figured out wwhat they have got themselves into and are not in a rush to get their tails shot off.
These young people need strong leadership. They seem to have great courage and will risk their life for freedom. Can't we get some military CIA type ops in to help lead them?
You seem to be just the right man for the job.... Why dont you volunteer yourself to go lead them in THEIR CIVIL WAR! We have our own war going on right here! Leave our service men out of this... we don't need anymore ground troops overseas!
The truth is, we really never know the truth. However, I would like to comment on several items listed above. Firstly, rebels generally are seen as hoodlums of some sort. Although if we are to take what best information we can via the internet, radio and t.v. you are able to make some sense of the dilemmas. Such as the rebels. I am sure as with anything we have some "bad apples" in the bunch. Though most of them (notice in one picture above the man is wearing a wedding band...) That they're truly fighting for their beliefs. What exactly those are, Americans remain confused about. Those "rebels" noted in a comment above stating "shooting ammunition in the sky" are mostly pictures of Ghadaffi's group(s)... Taken by photographers requested by "Ghadaffi's group." Ammunition is too prized, by the way of the rebels guns and other artillery. If they're homeless "hoodlums" why would they have an expendable amount of ammo to throw away? Yes there are momments where they shoot into the sky because they feel they "won" or "over took" some part of the Ghadaffi regime... However, those men I see laying in the sand miserably, don't strike me as a group who is going to run when bullets start flying. With any commen sense, they would if they are out armed 100 - 3!
I really wish as Americans we would do a much better job then just taking a look at pictures, a few caption shots and deciding what the hell is going on. Most of us are waking up, thinking we need to have an "idea" of what is going on "over there." Drinking coffee going to or at work. Sitting behind some desk pondering why everyone else is so disorganized compared to us.
What we know is, Ghadaffi is killing people in the Country he resides and has lived his whole life. Those "rebels" are trying to stand up for life. Considering a large number of men and woman in the Arab world are terrorists who care a less about life, "rather prize death." I would much rather have rebels running around shooting ammo into the sky the men like Ghadaffi... To me, common sense. Not men looking for 10 seconds of fame. I ask, do you think those rebels above even really know if their pictures have been published. Probably not!
I will end what could be a book of questions and answers by saying, "The Worlds Militaries" are in and around Libya for a very precise reason. While we may not know exactly why, rest assured that the only reason why more measures have not been taken is because WE MUST FIRST DECIDE, what type of finale outcome are we seeking? Once we know what that is, our Military's will bring closure to this slaughtering of the innocent; while the greedy, evil - gluttons can be exterminated.
America, I have not been in the Military nor do I work for any part of Government. After you read what I have stated, at least agree on one topic. We are Americans, Support Our Troops; especially when they're standing in the face uncertainty. When we show the world we are not sure, we don't know, we don't understand. It shows a weak America. Stand strong, and united. As a whole, we are the strongest. (And be thankful this time we stand united with other Countries. For a change...)
Whats the status on all those armories and ammo depots Ghadaffi was talking about opening to the public? If I was an rebel would definitely dress as a Ghadaffi supporter and get some free schwagg.
This is a Religious and Tribal Civil war that we should not have gotten into. We need to Impeach President Obama for getting us in this mess. He is not fit to lead.
Check all the countries that are fighting. It is mostly Shiite against Sunni. They are still fighting over who will take Muhammad's leadership place since he died in 632 A.D.
Don't understand why decision makers in this country still see Islamic countries with two dimensional borders. One thing both Sunni and Shiite have in common are a deep hate and mistrust of the west. Pretending that there is a difference between Afghanistan and Pakistan is like saying Texas won't back California if attacked.
Why can't the British or the French train them? Does it have to be only Americans to do everything.
Besides, I don't blame President Obama for the way he handle the Lybian crisis. We have home problems with two wars, plus North Korea who is ready to make war, then the Japanese disaster, the Hatian disaster and many more. You know, the whole world see us Americans as their protectors and saviors, yet they want to destroy us, because they can't be like us. The United Nation is responsible for world affair and politic, not the United States. Russia and China don't care about others than only themselves. While the United States is busy helping everyone , they are busy preparing themselves for what ever, upgrading their financial status, education, in other words domestic problems. And who comes out to be the stupid one? We, the Americans. President Obama is smart for deciding to release the role of leading the Lybian war to the UN. In addition, we must rebuilt our military system and reform our men and women soldiers to be more patriotic then to become defectors during wars, like what happened during the Iraq war
If they're professional fighters.. then why are they killing themselves? ... a youthful generation they most likely cannot aquaint with out of touch... they're most likely to shoot out butterflies as well.. some red with purple stars as the whole world blames itself for what they fought for a thousand year ago with dark red blood.
We should all rejoice as the Taliban and Al Queida take over Libya. Just as with the Afghans during the Soviet occupation we will arm and train our future enemies. Letting them all kill each other was a much better solution. Seems Just wait until the Crips and the Bloods start this in LA we will see how well this country likes freedom fighters then. Backing criminals killing more criminals
Those puke-bombs fail 200% of the time'
Why do we have the word "peace" if its never shown. & WHOOOO cares about what shoes the guys wearing? Lets give you a gun& send out out there. OH but without the shoes because there red. Damm, Im 15. Adults need to GROW UP . kbyee (:
I wouldn't poke so much fun at rebels...Im pretty sure thats how this country was born.
Ah... but you cannot compare mindless disorganized riots and looters with the American Revolution. These kids do not even know what they are fighting for. They bear an unholy similarity to the gangs of today in America.